Program Support Assistant

Summary

The position is located at the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) in Big Spring, Texas. This position serves as a Program Support Assistant providing support to the Office of the Deputy, Associate Director, Patient Care Services (DADPCS) and as directed by the DADPCS will provide support to Education Service, Extended Care, Ambulatory Care, and the DADPCS.

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Duties

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The incumbent is responsible for assisting the DADPCS and as directed by the DADPCS will provide support with personnel management functions in recruitment and staffing, incentive awards, employee relations, and training.
• Maintains files and a filing system appropriate for use in VA with ability to maintain suspense files or retrieval systems in order to follow-up on correspondence or reports due to the VISN 17, VACO Controlled Correspondence Department and to Veterans, as well as other government and community agencies.
• Uses computerized programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Visio; CONCUR to electronically make travel requests and submit travel vouchers; VISTA (Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture) to electronically process requests for services (2237s) and purchase orders (1358s); and VATAS (Veterans Affairs Time and Attendance System) to electronically perform timekeeping duties.
• Prepares work orders. Serves as Fund Control Point Clerk by processing 2237's and serves as General Government Purchase Card holder.
• Provides the budgeting and financial management for the service.
• Serves as Talent Management System (TMS) Administrator, Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Sponsor, Travel Champion, ADPAC and Timekeeper.
• Assists the DADPCS and as directed by the DADPCS will provide support by performing clerical and administrative support work which consist of the following duties: Processes incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence, reports, emails,
  memoranda, and other forms of written communication. Edits letters, composes letters and reports, reviews correspondence for accuracy and completeness, prepares public presentation outlines, develops standard or form letters, replies to inquiries and consolidates/coordinates submittals of information. Researches files and assembles background information about incoming material prior to referral.
• Serves as a recorder for committees relevant to the DADPCS.
• Reviews charts and tracks a variety of data for performance improvement and staffing methodology.
• Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/ PD014490

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of hospital organizational structures and reporting systems; A broad knowledge of an extensive body of rules, regulations, and procedures to effectively perform a variety of assignments and resolve a variety of problems; Knowledge of the regulations, laws, and policies associated with the administration of programs in health care facilities; Ability to comprehend and put into practice programs and purpose within the health care system; Knowledge of the organizational office files and the purpose and content of documents in files; Organizational skills are necessary for use in maintaining numerous office files, suspense records, the calendar, preparing reports, and general working functions within Nursing Service; Tact, judgement, discretion, and good interpersonal relationships to work with all levels of personnel, disciplines and management at all levels..

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.